Google Earth Gone Green
By Jenna Kirkman
Filed Under Green Living, The Big Picture | 1 Comment
Google Earth lets you zoom through three-dimensional Appalachian mountains, map out your dream vacation in Tahiti, or “fly” to a high-resolution satellite image of your very own home. The newest version comes equipped with close-up street views, 3D buildings, and stargazing abilities, but it is more than just fun and games – Google Earth is becoming one of the most important eco-tools of our time.
Already, Google Earth 4.3 comes with a Global Awareness feature that calls attention to eco-attractions like Fair Trade Certified Farms, Greenpeace Climate Control Areas, and Unicef Water and Sanitation Projects. Other businesses have been teaming up with Google Earth to provide add-on downloads in Keyhole Markup Language (KML) format in order to showcase international issues.
Basically, these KMLs enhance your view and global knowledge by painting a layer of interactive data and information over the Google Earth globe. Popular add-ons include: Disappearing Forests, Green Buildings, and EDGE Endangered Mammals. The Climate Change in Our World application, created by Google and Met Office Hadley Centre, not only shows current temperature stats, but also projects possible warming trends from now until November 2099.
Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has joined Google to create two add-ons that help American businesses, communities, and the general public track the main source of environmental evil – pollution.
In the first add-on, the EPA pinpoints locations from the United States Emissions File, which divides pollution into seven major point-source sectors; Cement Facilities, Chemical Manufacturing, Electric Generating Units (EGU), Natural Gas Pipelines, Oil and Gas Production, Petroleum Refineries, and Pulp and Paper Industries.
On the map, sectors are color-coded and can be clicked to reveal the company’s name, location, and a summary graphing total emissions from six common pollutants; carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide. Pretty cool.
Even cooler, though, is the EPA’s second add-on, Air Now, which shows you the current Air Quality Index (AQI) for certain areas of the United States, updated every hour, and forecasts 
tomorrow’s AQI, too. An area’s AQI predicts how the air quality will affect your health, and is based on a color-coded scale from 0 – 500, with 0 (green) being completely safe, and 500 (red) the most hazardous.
The UK Air Quality Archive has a similar Air Pollution add-on, and the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) has produced a similar emissions application that maps pollution in Canada and Mexico in addition to the US, but a worldwide air pollution and emissions add-on is yet to be found.
Still, Google Earth’s revolutionary display of global data and statistics, and its ability to connect cultures in a creative new way, has made details about air pollution and emissions easily accessible and of interest to everyone.
Individuals who are searching for a vacation destination or a new home will steer clear of heavy pollution. As a result, new real estate and tourist attractions will be built in lower-risk areas. Businesses will move or implement new branches within less polluted communities, which will motivate these regions to sustain their green reputation. And most importantly, these trends will help inspire communities and businesses in heavily polluted areas to lower emissions and clean up their act.
Want to check out Google Earth for yourself?
- Read over the User Guide, and download the free version of Google Earth.
- Browse Google Earth 4.3’s already awesome features located in the bottom left navigation window, or search for downloadable KMLs that spark your interest.
- Visit Google Earth Outreach to find businesses, non-profits, and individuals who want to share a global message, or to seek help in creating your own KML.
Posted on September 26, 2008 |
The Top 5 Green Technology Breakthroughs
By Pippa Sorley
Filed Under The Big Picture | 11 Comments
With predictions of our economic collapse, global warming and climactic disasters riddling global discussion, it can seem hard to maintain a positive attitude. The reverberating chant that bellowed through the halls of the Republican National Convention two weeks ago: “DRILL, BABY, DRILL!” certainly didn’t help, leaving many of us feeling hopeless.
Don’t despair yet! There’s good news when it comes to what is known as “green technology”. As we speak, alternative energy projects in a plethora of arenas are transforming research and development centers around the world. The Green Revolution has begun, and it will prove to not only boost our economy, but also holds the potential to save the planet from human destruction.
According to the market research firm CleanTech Group, renewable energy start-ups received $2 billion in venture capital funding in the second quarter of 2008 alone; a 58% increase from its previous year. Today clean technology accounts for 20% of all venture capital funding. This will provide us with thousands of new jobs, economic security, competitiveness in the global marketplace, and, well, hope for a more environmentally responsible future.
So what types of revolutionary green technologies can we look out for? Here is a glimpse into the Top 5 green technological breakthroughs from the past few years that we think will positively impact the way we live:
- DYNAMIC BUILDINGS
- TUBURCLE BLADES
- MICRO-ALGAE
- WAVE & TIDAL POWER
- SOLAR-THERMAL ENERGY
Introduction To Biomimicry
Biologists and scientists such as Janine Benyus discovered years ago that perhaps “man-made” technology isn’t so smart after all. The concept of biomimicry suggests that modern innovators follow the designs that nature has developed to withstand the test of geologic time. If natural designs are superior to anything that us humans have come up with, so why not “mimic nature” in the development of all our modern technologies?
The idea seemed too simple for many engineers and designers, but the theory is catching on. Two modern examples of Biomimicry-based designs include wind turbine blades that have been designed to use the same design as humpback whale fins, and skyscrapers that mimic the movable, dynamic architecture of a tree.
MOVING SKYSCRAPERS
From creating man-made islands visible from space to ski resorts in the middle of the desert, the city of Dubai continues to defy convention. This time however, they’re turning to nature to inspire a whole new type of architecture: dynamic towers.
According to the city’s architecture firm, the new skyscrapers will have 80 floors and stand 1,380 feet tall. Each floor will rotate and move independently (and slowly enough to keep residents from getting motion sickness). Not limited to rotational movement- inhabitants will also be able to extend their own balconies outward so they can soak up the sun - and the constantly changing views!
The movement of the modulated floors will create a building that resembles something out of a sci-fi film; something that should defy the laws of physics. Depending on the time of day and how it reflects light, the variation of shape can make the tower look like the craziest LEGO creation a kid could come up with. The most exciting facet of the new building in motion is its environmental friendliness. According to renowned Italian architect Dr. David Fisher, “the Dynamic Tower is the first building designed to be self-powered, with the ability to generate electricity for itself, as well as for nearby buildings. It achieves this feat with 79 wind turbines, making it a true green power plant.”
The structure will mimic that of a tree. The building’s stable core resembles a thick trunk that runs from the ground up, with the floors acting like branches and leaves that shadow the rhythms of nature. Dr. Fisher states, “Today’s life is dynamic, so the space we are living in should be dynamic as well, adjustable to our needs that change to our concept of design and to our mood. [Our] buildings will follow the rhythms of nature, they will change direction and shape from spring to summer, from sunrise to sunset, and adjust themselves to the weather, these buildings will be alive.”
TUBERCLE BLADES
Inspired by the agility and speed of whales, designs that integrate biomimicry with a host of mechanical components are being built based on the science of fluid dynamics. Wind turbines, fans, pumps and compressors are just a few examples of everyday items that can break through the limitations of conventional technologies by mimicking the design of the whale flipper.
Dr. Frank E. Fish studied the unusual bumps (tubercles) on the leading edge of humpback whale flipper and discovered that they create what he dubbed a “tubercle effect” on surrounding fluid: delaying stall, increasing lift and decreasing drag. This discovery allowed a portal of understanding into the grace and ease by which these huge mammals glide through the ocean. By adding precisely formed versions of those bumps to blades or rotors, his designs have proven to easily overcome the scientific limitations once deemed unavoidable by engineers and scientists.
The possibilities are endless, from more efficient wind and hydroelectric turbines, municipal water systems, farm irrigation, ventilation systems to efficient aircraft wing design, this simple tweak to the shape of blades could dramatically improve thousands of modern technologies.
MICRO ALGAE
Slimy-looking pond scum could save our planet? As we come to terms with the major drawbacks of harvesting crops to fuel our cars, it is essential that we find new renewable fuels that won’t compete with food crops such as soy or corn. Micro-algae could be the answer. This super-organism grows prolifically in areas not suitable for traditional crops and can store massive amounts of oils and starches necessary to make biodiesel or ethanol. Micro-algae has garnered considerable attention lately, since it can produce 30-100 times the oil yield of soybeans on the same acreage, while it’s biomass remnants can be reused as cattle feed supplement or fermented into ethanol.
One of the main obstacles to industrial production of biodiesel from algae is the organism’s reliance on photosynthesis for energy to consume CO2 and produce oils. Solazyme, a San Francisco-based startup, has been working for the past five years on deriving biofuel from algae without sunlight. They are using sugar. Algae are not entirely dependent on sunlight for growth, in fact, they are 1000 times more efficient at producing oils from sugar compared to growth by sunlight. Although the process is still in development, Solazyme’s claim may prove to have revolutionary merit.
SOLAR-THERMAL
Solar power is a well known entity. Although few of us are aware of the embodied energy that is required to design, manufacture and distribute traditional photovoltaic cells to our rooftops, most of us know that it is easily accessible and relatively simple to convert a home or business from electric to solar power.
There’s a new solar game in town and it’s known as solar thermal. Although it may sound like a new type of underwear, solar thermal is a renewable energy that is often referred to as the “other” solar power. Unlike photovoltaic cells that directly converts sunlight into energy, solar thermal uses mirrors to focus sunlight on a liquid that turns into steam and powers a turbine. This key difference means that solar thermal does not rely on direct sunlight to produce energy, and the relatively simple process can store energy for several hours after sundown. Solar thermal plants can also rely on other fuels such as natural gas when it’s dark or cloudy. So, there’s hope for those of us who live in Vancouver, Seattle, London or Stockholm!
OCEAN POWER
Sweden, Scotland and recently the Pacific Northwest of the US have developed energy technology powered by the force of the sea. The technology utilizes the forces of waves and tidal pull to generate electrical energy which is fed straight into national power grids. Wave and tidal power produces zero emissions and leaves no harmful waste. While estimates for solar power in many parts of the world is 1,000 hours a year and for wind power is 2,200 hours a year, it is estimated that wave and tidal power will be available for up to 4,000 hours a year.
The challenge remains: harnessing energy from heaving waves, severe weather, crushing currents and the corrosive power of salt water can seriously thrash expensive equipment. Yet the potential benefits seriously outweigh the drawbacks; the majority of researchers believe that tapping power from our oceans could supply a third of our energy supplies.
While we still have fossil fuels to burn, why not channel them into designing technologies that will allow us to live without the destructive oil habit in a regenerative, clean, energy conserving way?
Voraciously intrigued?
- Check out the Biomimicry Institute to keep up with nature-inspired technological advancements
Posted on September 19, 2008 |
Eating Fresh Papaya In Sweden:The Locavore Movement Needs Legs To Stand On
By Erin Gallagher
Filed Under Conscious Commerce, The Big Picture | 2 Comments
Along with the words cougar, cloudware, mumblecore and upcycling, locavore made the new Oxford American Dictionary’s list of new words last year. For those playing the home game, a locavore is a person who chooses to only eat food that is grown locally.
Restaurants everywhere are adding locally grown, organic dishes to their menus, farmers markets have spouted up in many cities across the world and in 2007, American schools in over 35 states presented students with locally grown produce for lunch in their cafeterias. It has been decided: eating foods grown within a 100-mile radius of your kitchen is a sure-fire way to ensure that spiking gas prices have less impact on your wallet and allows you tighter control over how many pounds of pesticides you ingest. Great. So grab a trowel, some native plants, create an edible forest in your neighborhood and responsibly choose produce you do not grow from (organic) farms in the region. Continue reading Eating Fresh Papaya In Sweden:The Locavore Movement Needs Legs To Stand On…
Posted on September 12, 2008 |
The Adventures Of Yung Yeti
By Erin Gallagher
Filed Under eCo TV | 2 Comments
Posted on September 10, 2008 |
The Healthiest Egg: Designing Chickens Into Your Urban Lifestyle
By Erin Gallagher
Filed Under eCo TV | 1 Comment
We found these British Blokes online who call themselves “Giving It A Go” and are bent on creating an edible backyard and putting permacultural principles into action. Some may say that this feat would be extremely difficult if not impossible to accomplish in an urban setting where temperatures can get extremely low and the sun makes only a few guest appearances, but these guys are proving that to be a myth and we think they deserve a massive “jolly good job well done” pat on the back.
In many permaculture designs, a domesticated bird species is used to speed up the process of making food scraps into soil nutrients. This portion of the video series illustrates how to build a chicken coop in a tiny backyard space. The first is a time-lapsed overview of the construction process and the second is a walk-through of the design.
Enjoy!
If you are really keen to know more about chickens in your backyard and how they can be an essential component in your sustainable home design
- eCo Times will be publishing an article on this in the next few weeks, so check back
- If you are wanting to know more about the permacultural design concept, start with our Permaculture 101 article
- Read an article on Urban Hens by the BBC
- Look at what “Urban Chickens” organizations is doing to promote chickens in your backyard
Posted on September 5, 2008 |
Music That Matters
By Jenna Kirkman
Filed Under Arts & Culture | 1 Comment
You certainly know the world’s favorite 75-year-old cowboy-hippie Willie Nelson, but did you know he is opening his own bio-diesel truck stop in Summer 2008? Located in Texas, Willie’s Place will feature his own blend of veggie-oil derived BioWillie® fuel.
As environmental damage continues to elevate concern, numerous musicians are using their notoriety as a tool to promote positive global change. Here’s a look at some of the industry’s most inspiring green giants and what they are up to on and off stage. Continue reading Music That Matters…
Posted on September 1, 2008 |
Permaculture 101: Designing A Life Beyond Sustainability
By Erin Gallagher
Filed Under The Big Picture | 6 Comments
According to the Hirsch Report issued by the US Department of Energy, global oil production peaked in 2005 with the last major discoveries of light crude oil occurring in the 1960s. Regardless, global consumption rates continue to climb 1.5% each year and the UN estimates the world population will hit 9.1 Billion in the next 40 years. It should be glaringly apparent that our world is off balance; what remains unclear is where we should start to stabilize ourselves.
A revolutionary concept developed in the 1970s, dubbed “permaculture,” is rapidly gaining attention as a transformative vehicle for creating holistic, healthy systems from the microcosm of our immediate surroundings to the macrocosm of the planet.
per. ma. cul. ture \ˈpər-mə-ˌkəl-chər\ Etymology: permanent + agriculture
A method for designing human habitats so that all elements integrate to form a simple, non-wasteful, harmless, self sustaining, productive, highly functional system.
The idea of permaculture was developed at the University of Tasmania by environmental psychology professor Bill Mollison and his environmental design student, David Holmgren. In response to the extreme drought conditions of Australia and global dependence on fossil fuels, the two men developed a model that created much needed balance. Inputs equaled outputs and the only “waste” the model created, easily broke down into simple elements that added to the health of their environment. Though the basis of their design has existed in many aboriginal and native cultures for centuries, Mollison and Holmgren devised a way to communicate it to a much broader audience. Continue reading Permaculture 101: Designing A Life Beyond Sustainability…
Posted on August 14, 2008 |
Green Your Screen: The Top 6 Eco-Friendly PCs
By Jenna Kirkman
Filed Under Conscious Commerce, News & Reviews | 2 Comments
Right now you are most likely staring at lead, mercury, cadmium, barium, beryllium, polyvinyl chloride, and brominated flame retardants. No, the toxic waste disposal company did not just dump a barrel of chemicals on your desk – these dangerous toxins can be found right inside your precious personal computer.
- Computer screens commonly contain lead, which can cause brain, nervous system, blood, and reproductive problems
- LCD screens and wiring boards, are often made with mercury, with prolonged exposure leading to brain and kidney damage
- Circuit boards usually contain brominated flame retardants (BFR) which have been linked to learning and memory impairment
- Inexpensive plastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are manufactured using a vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), a known carcinogen
Initiatives such as “one laptop per child” and the attraction of saving on gas by working from home has encouraged the increased production of computers. Coupled with the fact that the average PC has a life cycle so short that most are outdated within a few years, means an exponential increase in electronic waste (e-waste) in landfills, and toxins seeping into our ecosystems. Though some companies have recycling programs to reduce e-waste, millions of PCs are still disposed of irresponsibly. Sadly, an estimated 50-80 percent of e-waste from the United States is shipped overseas to China and India, where low income communities are paid to take these toxic chemicals off American hands.
Continue reading Green Your Screen: The Top 6 Eco-Friendly PCs…
Posted on August 11, 2008 |
Rebuild This City
By Erin Gallagher
Filed Under eCo TV | 2 Comments
Jaime Lerner wants to challenge the way we design our cities and propose that it can be accomplished within a budget that most urban planners would think completely unrealistic. His innovative, big picture view of efficient energy use, waste reduction, mass transportation and housing development has allowed him to transform gridlocked, clogged arteries of the city of Curitiba, Brazil into smooth flowing, pedestrian filled spaces in record time. Most notably, he has the ability to harness the power of citizens and work with them to create massive positive change. Lerner has deservingly received a United Nations Environmental Award, the Child and Peace Award from UNICEF, and the 2001 World Technology Award for Transportation.
Listen in on this brilliant lecture from Jaime and get inspired to work on redesigning the components of where you live.
Posted on August 5, 2008 |
Vegetarians Do It Better
By Jenna Kirkman
Filed Under The Big Picture | 7 Comments
By now you have probably figured out the general idea of living a “sustainable” lifestyle: biking to work in your 100% organic fair trade clothing, eating local organic food and recycling absolutely everything. One thing you may not be considering is that free-range organic steak from the farmer’s market that you’ve tossed that into your reusable grocery bag. What is the true impact of our carnivorous indulgences? It may be time for us to seriously reconsider our dietary habits.
A recent study by the National Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science concluded that just one kilogram of beef creates more greenhouse gas pollution than a three hour car ride. Also, switching from a meat-based diet to a vegetarian diet can be more beneficial to the environment than trading in your SUV for a hybrid. Wow. How is this possible? Let’s look at some of the major environmental impacts caused by the meat industry…
Continue reading Vegetarians Do It Better…
Posted on August 1, 2008 |
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